Chapter Seven: Future Needs
Son Gohan was lost in his thoughts again.
"Ah, Man. Now what do I do?" He thought to himself nervously, a little worried. Here he was, pretty much trapped by his girlfriend, with absolutely no way out.
"Well? Come on,Gohan!" Videl prodded, poking a finger into Gohan's chest. "You know I'll just find out sooner or later, so spill it already. What's going on in that head of yours?"
He couldn't stop her. When Videl was determined, no one could stop her. She always got what she wanted.
"Just... Thinking about later on. You know. The futureā¦" He replied, nervously, hoping she didn't try to pry any further. She raised an eyebrow at him, unsatisfied. "Uh... Our future?"
"Really." A statement, not a question. It was said with an air of a superior indulging a child. And yet, a small smile played at the corner of her lips.
"Um... Yeah" He shyly replied, sweating a little, even in the cold night air. While he seemed slightly worried on the outside, his insides were chaotic. "ABORT MISSION!" His mind kept telling him. Of course, he couldn't do that now. He was in too deep.
"What about our future?" Videl then quizzed. Exactly the question Gohan didn't want to hear. "Like... Marriage? Kids?" She sounded doubtful.
"Uh... What?" Gohan panicked. Kids? That was way too far ahead for him.
"Kids..." Her voice was thoughtful. "D'ya think you'd want a boy, or a girl?" She rolled to her side, looking over at him, studying his face. After a few moments of intense concentration, she flipped over onto her back again. "A girl. Definitely. You don't seem like the sort of person to have boys. Well, I mean, I'm sure you'd be good with either, but I think you'd enjoy girls more. Right?" Videl added, clearly satisfied with her conclusion. She scooted a little closer and rested her head against his shoulder. As if he wasn't already having a hard time following the direction the conversation was going in.
"Kids?" His eyes were wide. Boy or girl, he didn't really care either way. For the time being, at least, though he had a sneaking suspicion she'd hit the nail on the head. Girls would probably suit him better. He didn't think he could deal with another Goten around. Yeah, a little girl would be nice. One who looked just like Vid--WHOA. HOLD UP. This was going way too far. "Videl," He choked out. "We're not even engaged... yet, and you know we haven't... Haven't done... Done that!" Gohan nervously sputtered; more sweat starting to form on his forehead.
"Gohan, sweetie, chill. I know we haven't. I'm not saying we have. I just don't think there's a problem with thinking ahead. Even that far ahead." Videl replied. She turned her head to him. Her brow furrowed. "Wait a minute...Are you actually starting to sweat? I thought that was only a figure of speech..." She reached over and touched his cheek, wiping the perspiration off lightly as laughter burbled from her throat. "You are!"
"Am not!" He retorted. Oooh. Smooth. 'Am not'. Suave. Goten couldn't have come up with something like that, for sure.
"It's not just a river in Egypt, hun," Videl snickered. "De Nile, I mean."
"Gosh, you're mean!" Gohan told her, breaking the tension as he tapped her nose playfully, causing her to giggle a bit.
"I know. And one other thing, while my mean-ness is being established; who uses words like 'gosh' anymore?"
Gohan was in the middle of formulating a brilliant (well, reasonably witty) response, when a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Gohan! Its time for supper! Mom says!" Goten appeared overhead, looking down on them, a red handprint making itself at home on his left cheek.
The two stopped their banter, turning their attention to the younger half-Saiyan. Gohan took note of the familiar-sized print. "I take it mom found out about the snowman?"
"Yeah! She must really not like Super Saiyans, because she was really mad about it!" Goten replied, rubbing his face a little. Though Chi-Chi hadn't smacked him very hard, the cold weather amplified the effects and made the punishment quite visible. He quickly lost interest in his brother, however, upon noticing who lay next to him. "Videeeeeel! When'd you get here?" He broke into a famous Son grin, laughing with excitement. Videl smiled up at him.
"Not that long ago. Just long enough to give your brother a couple heart attacks." She replied, winking.
Goten laughed. "Anyways, mom says its time for supper, and to get back to the house, pronto! Beat you there!" Without waiting to see what his brother had to say, he took off.
"I'd better be going then." Videl said, pushing herself up off the ground. She brushed the snow off of her sweater as she got to her feet. She fumbled around in her pockets for a minute, retrieving her capsule. Normally, she'd fly home, but today it was just too darn cold. Wind chill was not her friend, especially not when she would already be out of sorts at having to leave her certain someone behind so soon. She had just begun to open her helicopter capsule when Gohan put a hand on her shoulder.
"Come on, Videl," He said quietly. "Stay for dinner, at least." His eyes met hers, and she could see that he wanted her to stay as much as she did. "Mom won't mind. You know her. She'll have enough food for us all and then some."
"Hmm..." She paused, pretending to consider. Her eyes drifted to the capsule in her hands, then back up to Gohan's face. "Alright. On one condition."
"What's that?"
"Carry me, Saiyaman!" She replied as she hopped into his arms. Too late, Gohan realized what she was doing and made a not-so-spectacular catch. Once he regained his composure, he gave her a quick "forgive me" smile.
"Yes ma'am!" Gohan replied using his "hero" voice, causing her to laugh, and after doing a quick pose, he took to the skies slowly, carrying his love back to the Son residence. As they flew, Videl only had one thing on her mind as she attempted to bury her head into Gohan's chest.
"God, I love this boy."
End of Part Seven
